As the war in Ukraine progresses, it seems that all kinds of relations with Russia will have to be suspended. The IOC wants Russia to take part in the 2024 Paris Olympics. If so, the Ukrainians threaten to boycott these games.
You’re right. Canada should do the same if Russia is invited. But the international community should go much further than this suspension of Russia from the Paris Olympics. For two reasons, one moral and one political. Moral: Vladimir Putin’s Russia is waging a genocidal war of aggression against Ukraine. Politics: Russia’s suspension from various international activities is a great way to show Russians how condemned Putin’s actions are around the world. The more time passes, the more futile Emmanuel Macron’s concern not to humiliate Russia seems. Furthermore, it is not Russia that should feel humiliated, but Putin and his gang of murderers.
1. Why should Russian athletes be banned from participating in the 2024 Olympics?
One might have thought that after the media catastrophe of the Beijing Winter Olympics, which allowed the leaders of Xi Jinping’s totalitarian China to regain their virginity, the leaders of the IOC would have understood that the participation of Russians in the Beijing Olympics 2024 would have likely had the same effect on Putin and his cronies. One might have thought that after the criticism of hosting the World Cup in Qatar, the organizers of international sporting events would have become more sensitive to the political consequences of such events. But they slowly understand.
2. Why would Canada boycott the Olympics if Russia is participating?
It seems that money speaks more than anything for the organizers of the Olympic Games. The great disappointment of the athletes who could not take part in the Olympics because of a ban or a boycott does not weigh much next to the suffering of the Ukrainians. If several countries, including Canada, decide to boycott the 2024 Olympics, significant amounts of advertising and royalties of all kinds will disappear from the IOC’s coffers. That should get her moving.
3. Should Russia be banned from further events?
Russia should be suspended from all international events in all areas, whether sporting, cultural, political or economic. It should be clear that the Russian leadership is waging a genocidal war of aggression. These are extremely serious crimes that put Russian leaders in the same category as the Pol Pots, Adolf Hitlers, and other monsters that have plagued history. The Russian war against Ukraine goes far beyond, for example, the Soviet war against Afghanistan in its barbarism and desire to annihilate the Ukrainians and their culture. A war that led to the boycott of the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow.
4. Is the boycott or suspension of Russia anti-Russian?
Such actions are not anti-Russian, on the contrary. Russia is one of the jewels of the West. But out of respect for the Russian people, countries headed by civilized governments should not hesitate to sever ties with the despotic Putin government. The Russians will see and understand what is happening.
5. Should Canada lead by example?
He used to do it. But the Canadian government lost that courage long ago.
